Division 3 Highlights
Freshman Kenna Stimmel Clears State Meet and Overall Record in Pole Vault
While Riley Hunt was busy putting the finishing touches on her fantastic career in Division 1, a blue-haired freshman was already getting busy writing her own name in the history books in Division 3.
Margaretta freshman Kenna Stimmel entered the state meet as a favorite in her own right, having already cleared 12-10 in her first season in the OSHAA High School circuit. On Saturday, she would continue her historic season with a 13-0.25 clearance to grab her the state meet and overall state record in Division 3.
Oh, did we mention she has three more years to go?
Stimmel closes out her season as the second best vaulter in the entire state, the best vaulter in the history of Division 3, and the top freshman in the country by over 4 inches. The future is bright for Stimmel. Get ready to hear her name on the state and national level for many years to come.
Justin Wright Wins 100 and Long Jump, Second in 200
Wellsville's Justin Wright was pushing all the right buttons over the weekend. He left Columbus with two gold medals and a silver around his neck and single-handedly helped Wellsville finish fourth as a team.
In the 100, the junior ran away from the field with a 10.67 (-0.3) finish, beating out Kalida's Josh Verhoff by .28 seconds. Verhoff would have his revenge in the 200, though, as he was able to hold off Wright in a new Division 3 state meet and overall record of 21.39.
Wright was able to come back, though, and grab a second gold with his victory in the long jump. His 23-3.25 (NWI) jump was less than an inch better than Southeastern's Lane Ruby (23-2.5, NWI). It was a huge weekend in that regard for the junior as this was only his first season competing in the long jump and the 23-3.25 mark was his first career mark over 21-11.
Wright's 28 points were enough to help Wellsville secure fourth as a team, just behind McDonald (29). East Canton won overall with 42 points, primarily from their middle distance prowess, and Columbiana Crestview finished second with help from their sprint relays and Dominic Perry in the throws.
Calista Manns Caps Off Historic Year With 100H/300H Double
Grove City Christian's Calista Manns proved why she's one of the top hurdlers in the state over the weekend, cruising to victories in both the 100 Hurdles and 300 Hurdles.
In the 100 Hurdles, Manns had already set the overall state record at 13.99 a week earlier and was aiming to better it and the state meet record. Though it was not to be, the senior still was able to throw down a 14.13 (+0.1) in the prelims and 14.39 (-1.3) in finals. Her 13.99 from the region meet will stand alone as the Division 3 record as Alysse Wade's 14.07 meet record from last spring is safe.
Manns would come back in the very next race and place second in the 100 to Malvern's Zoe Moser after running the top time (12.26, -0.3) out of prelims. Moser would secure the win in 12.38 (-1.0) with Manns not too far behind in 12.43 (-1.0).
The 300 Hurdles would prove to be one of the closest races of the day overall, but Manns would hang on by a thread to snag her second gold of the weekend. Garaway's Carly Jacobs gave the senior a run for her money, but after the dust settled, it was Manns in 43.37 and Jacobs in second in 43.38. Nobody else was within two seconds.
The 28 points Manns provided was crucial to the team race as she helped Grove City Christian finish fourth. Three more points were added by Morgan Iverson in the pole vault (11-0) to add a bit of a cushion to their standing. West Liberty-Salem finished in first with 50 points, Archbold took second with 39, and Springfield Central Catholic was third with 34.